One of the parts of the 308 and 328 series Ferrari that was subject
to continuing development is the water pump. There are four versions and
it's important to understand the differences if you wish to re-build or
replace yours. The first version was fitted to the 308 GT/4, 308 GTB and
308 GTS. This is the so called small bearing version #107128. The next
version appeared on the 308 Quattrovalvole models, including the Mondial
from around chassis number 48529. The pump housing is the same shape as
the previous model (Though not the same internally) and the bearings are
the same size too. This pump is #121255. The main difference with this
new pump is the introduction of a small rubber seal, # 121263 that is
designed to protect the bearings from any small weepage from the main
seal. This seal can also be retrofitted to the first generation pump.

The third version is #121290 and was fitted from the 3.2 litre cars in
1986. This pump uses the same seal as the previous #121255 but the bearings
are uprated. Finally, the fourth version is identical to the third but
has a plastic impeller, the previous three having a brass one.

The 308 Ferrari does have an indifferent relationship regarding the pumps
reliability. Bearing failure, seizure and the leakage of the seal are
all problems that we are all familiar with. On the 308 GT/4 and the 308
GTB the belt for the water pump also drives the alternator. Ferrari was
obviously conscious of the belt trying to do too much and by the time
the Quattrovalvole models were released they had a separate belt for the
pump and alternator. However, if the belt tension is correct and the pulleys
are in alignment it appears that it is always the seal that fails first.
It seems common practice to over tighten the belt, naturally placing excessive
strain on the bearings. The later injection models had a belt just for
the pump and a separate one for the alternator and of course you need
to exercise the same care in tensioning the belt with these models.

Luckily, there are two ways to replace the pump. The first way is simply
to buy a new pump. ThatÕs fine but the pump is well into four figures
so if you think itÕs worth it, go ahead, but donÕt read any further! If
you plan to fit a big bearing 328 pump on a 308, you will have to machine
the pump flange to take the pulley as the 328 pulley is not compatible
with the 308. The other way is rebuild the pump and replace the bearings,
shaft and the seal. Buying parts for all the versions of the pumps is
no problem but you have to be careful to identify which model is on your
car as most parts are not interchangeable.

On cars prior to the 1979 model year, the water pump was hidden by the
front cam belt cover. (ItÕs also fouled by the rear cam belt cover but
this easy to remove. See footnote). If your car is this model, IÕm sorry
but to remove the water pump is a real pain. Unfortunately you will have
to remove the air intake ducting, air conditioning compressor and the
coolant hoses from the thermostat housing. You may as well throw a set
of cam belts and tensioner bearings on if you need to remove all this!
The pump is then very easy to remove, just seven nuts and off it comes.
Unless you are an originality freak, use the side of the pump as a template
and mark the area on the forward cam cover that fouls it. With a steady
hand and an angle grinder you can remove the 7mm of offending aluminium
from the cam belt cover. A medium grade grinding wheel will actually match
the factory casting marks pretty closely, so if you are careful, you will
not be able to tell itÕs not standard. The post 1979 cars had the cut
out cast into the cover making removal much easier.

If you car is post 1979 or already has the cam cover modification, the
easiest way to remove the pump is through the drivers side rear wheel
arch. Just remove the inner guard and away you go. If itÕs the earlier
version, as you will have to remove the compressor itÕs easier to do the
job from above.

Once the pump is removed from the car I would suggest a thorough soaking
overnight in penetrant. Often the bearings can be rusted in and in my
case; the bearings had rusted on to the shaft. How the pump usually fails
is the interface between the seal and the shaft fails allowing water to
enter the bearings. The pump seal is actually a ceramic bearing and this
seems to rarely give trouble. The way to a long pump life is to ensure
the correct ani-corrosion additive is in the cooling system. If itÕs not,
the pump shaft will rust and the subsequent deformation of the shaft will
allow water past the seal.

The disassembly of the pump is very simple. Remove the pulley and the
woodruff key. The shaft needs to be pressed out and this is accomplished
from the pulley end. A large vice should be sufficient to push it out.
If not, then the bearings have rusted to the shaft and you will need a
press. As the shaft is pressed out you will destroy the flat seal that
sits in the pump body (Not on the shaft) so donÕt worry when ceramic fragments
fall out. Once the shaft is out, the bearings need to be removed. With
a brass drift or centre punch (Remember you can be a rough as you like
removing the old parts) tap out the outer bearing. This must be done before
the inner bearing as itÕs held in with a circlip, and you cannot remove
the clip without first removing the outer bearing. Now that the outer
bearing is out remove the inner bearing by first removing the circlip.
Again from the inside (Impeller end) tap out the bearing. It is not uncommon
for the bearing to disintegrate, leaving the outer race jammed in the
housing. If this happens, another squirt with WD-40 should help things
along.

Once the pump housing is clean, especially where the inner seal sits
itÕs time to reassemble. Begin by installing the inner bearing. Because
we like to do things properly, smear a small amount of grease on the inside
of the housing to make the bearing installation easier and to facilitate
itÕs removal next time. The easiest way to install the bearings is to
find a socket that is very slightly smaller than the bearing but still
covers the outer race. If the bearing is installed by pressing on the
inner race, the bearing will be damaged and itÕs life dramatically shortened.

Be careful! Once the inner bearing is fitted, replace the small washer
followed by the circlip. Now fit the shaft into the housing. We have to
do this now, as the flange on the shaft will not allow us to fit the inner
seal otherwise. Fit the shaft spacer (This fits over the shaft and determines
the distance between the bearings. Followed with the outer bearing, again
being very careful of placing any load on the inner bearing race. Fit
the pulley (DonÕt forget the woodruff key) as this will prevent the shaft
from moving inwards and at this stage itÕs fine just to do it up finger
tight. Now fit the seal. The seal is in two parts, the pump side and the
shaft side. Be very careful not to damage its fine ceramic surface. Place
the flat seal with the ceramic section facing outwards into the circular
cutout on the pump body. ItÕs advisable to use a small amount of anaerobic
hardening sealant on the rubber to side to ensure that no water can enter
the bearings. After the flat seal has been pressed in make sure it is
parallel to the pump body. Now fit the shaft seal to the shaft. There
is a spring on the shaft, which pre-loads the seal in order to ensure
no leakage. The shaft seal is held under tension by the impeller so make
sure itÕs clean and ready to be installed. You will appreciate an extra
set of hands at this stage.

When fitting the impeller, you may wish to use some sealant on the interface
between the impeller and the seal to prevent water from trying to get
past the shaft. I think this is a good idea, though you will have to ask
me next time I pull the pump down to see if it was any help! With the
impeller being held on the shaft, fit the locking key, run some Loctite
243 down the shaft thread and fit the dome nut. Tighten the pulley nut
too and there you have it. Ready for installation. A few points: In the
pump body, there are two drain holes, make sure they are not blocked.
If the seal fails, you will not see the leaking water and also should
there be any small seepage from the pump it will not be allowed to escape.
Remember too that the belt tension is important, not too tight. You should
be able to move the belt at least 2 cm with moderate pressure between
the pump and the crank pulley. Finally, remember the correct coolant to
use!

Good Luck. Carl.

Footnote: Regarding the rear cam cover. This will also need to be removed
to gain access to the pump. Again, Ferrari made this difficult on cars
pre 1978. The 1974 to 1977 models had studs inserted into the block with
three nuts holding the cover on. Unfortunately, if you remove the three
nuts the cover still wonÕt come out, as the studs do not allow the cover
to slide past the chassis rail! So, not only do you have to remove the
three nuts, but also you have to get a stud puller to remove the studs!
Crazy stuff! Again, you can modify this to later specifications by simply
replacing the studs with three bolts. Note that they are a metric fine
thread.